LEWISTOWN — The Lewistown Borough Council approved its 2026 budget Monday and announced its acquisition of a $400,000 local property for the Lewistown Police Department in addition to other business.

Council members will vote on whether to increase property taxes at their next meeting on Monday, Dec. 19.

The 2026 operating budget totals $15.9 million in revenue and $15.5 million in expenses with an anticipated reserve of about $340,000.

Council President Matthew Moore, Council Vice President Robert Barlett, Councilman Scott Gutshall, and Councilman Jim Steele voted in favor of the budget in a roll call vote in the absence of Councilwoman Lisa Knudson, Councilman Steve Knudson, and Councilman Larry Searer.

Moore added that the council will reopen the budget for amendments at their reorganizational meeting on Jan. 5 to adjust Community Development Block Grant figures, ensuring the grant data is up to date.

In a roll call vote, the council approved a police building contract change to a reduction of Mifflin County Municipal Authority receipts as borough payment with a close date of Dec. 23.

The agreement for the property at 70 Chestnut Street details that this payment will be made in five annual installments of $80,000, with the first payment made this year.

The borough expects to save costs by eliminating ongoing rental expenses.

Council also approved Lewistown Police Department Executive Officer Rich Leight as the police building renovation project manager with a tentative project completion date of Feb. 20, 2026, and a deadline of Feb. 28.

Members then approved a spending assignment of up to $12,000 per bid for services to complete the project.

After their executive session for legal and personnel topics, the council voted to add an appointment to the Mifflin County Municipal Authority Board of Directors to the agenda.

Members voted to approve Russell Rager, a resident of the Lewistown Borough’s seventh ward, to the board. Rager previously served on the Lewistown Borough Council.

Council also:

• Approved a facility use request for the Dec. 31 chip drop from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. in Monument Square;

• Approved a facility use request for the Community Center for Toys for Tots from Dec. 14, 2026, to Dec. 18, 2026;

• Approved a handicap spot request for 126 Chestnut Street;

• Approved a borough hall closure at noon on Dec. 24, and an all-staff four-hour end-of-shift allowance;

• Approved a borough hall closure at noon on Dec. 31, and an all-staff four-hour end-of-shift allowance;

• Approved MES Life Safety as the purchase vendor for Lewistown Fire Department safety equipment. This equipment will be purchased with Community Development Block Grant funds when they are released.